The Miami International Piano Festival Academy at the Miami Summer Music Festival -2015

What do you get when you combine 5 International Performing Artist and 17 incredibly talented young pianists? PURE MAGIC!

This ground breaking event took place on the beautiful campus of Barry University in Miami Florida from July 5 through July 28. Pianists from around the globe gathered to share music and insights about the piano. The exceptionally talented participants came from all over the world including China, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy, and the United States. The amazing concert artists and teachers Walter Ponce, Misha Dacic, Francesco Libetta, Ilya Itin, Jorge Luis Pratts and Giselle Brodsky comprised the faculty for 2015.

To say this event broke the mold for music festivals around the world would be an understatement. It literally re-writes the curriculum and expectations of young performing artists!

Most festivals include a few private lessons, one or two master classes which participants may or may not be directly involved and a few performances by the faculty. The Miami International Piano Festival Academy at the Miami Summer Music Festival offered the participants the unique opportunity to study with three international performing artists (a total of 6 individual, one hour, lessons during the three week festival. No less than 11 master classes were conducted by the five artists on campus with every participant having the opportunity to perform for each artist, without exception. Three explosive piano recitals were offered by Misha Dacic, Francesco Libetta, and Ilya Itin. Walter Ponce and Michael Klotz offered up an inspiring chamber music recital. Inspirational lectures in musicology were offered by Frank Cooper and numerous exercises in creativity were conducted during the festival.

When asked if the festival met the needs of the pianists involved, without exception, the response was that if far exceeded their expectations.

With year one under our belt, I look forward to working with Giselle Brodsky, artistic director of the Miami International Piano Festival and program director of the piano division of the Miami Summer Music Program, to create an even more exciting program......

Enjoy some of the candid shots taken during the festival..... I will add more in the near future!

Steven J SlowikProgram Coordinator, piano division of the Miami Summer Music Program

Five International Artists Captured Creating Magic at the Miami Summer Music Festival with the Miami International Piano Festival Academy!